Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko sat down with the host of “New Time” TV show Ainur Imangali to talk about the meaning of this year for Kazakhstan’s foreign policy and how Middle Power countries contribute to the restoration of dialogue at the global level, Kazinform News Agency reports.

During the interview, Roman Vassilenko stressed that over the past year, Kazakhstan's foreign policy, had gone into an overdrive and the relations with many partners around the world had been strengthened, had been improved and had been developed. In his words, this has to do with the activities of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, but also with the activities of the Foreign Ministry and other Ministries, as well as the entire Government.

“The reason for this very active foreign policy lies in the fact that after 30 years of independent development, Kazakhstan, as many countries of the world, finds itself in a very peculiar situation where we need to continue to pursue what has come to be known, the multi vector foreign policy in a very different set of geopolitical environments,” Vassilenko said.

“It is no secret that the world has seen a tremendous upheaval over the past couple of years. The international security system, the international system generally is facing major challenges and it is up to countries like Kazakhstan, Middle Powers countries that are active, countries that are having positive, constructive, balanced relations with all neighbors near and far to in fact contribute to the restoration of dialogue at the global level,” noted the Deputy Foreign Minister, adding that it is exactly this that President Tokayev has focused over the past year by launching initiatives such as the Astana International Forum.

The initiative, according Vassilenko, brought together leaders from around the world, thought opinion leaders, business leaders and political leaders to discuss ways on of how to restart global dialogue.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also revealed that this year President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed 15 international leaders from countries ranging from Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic to Bosnia and Herzegovina and many others. On top of that, the Head of State visited 8 countries ranging from the United States, Germany and to Vietnam.

“The bottom line,” Vassilenko emphasized, “is that the foreign policy of Kazakhstan, which by the way also includes responsibility for attracting investment, has been very active this year. We have been able to ensure proper beneficial external environment for the development of our country in again very challenging international environment and the fact that Kazakhstan's economy is now set to grow almost 5% this year”.

He also added that the fact that last year Kazakhstan attracted $28 billion in foreign direct investment and this year remained on par with last year's figures - all these facts, they speak volumes about the efficiency of this peaceful, constructive, balanced multi vector foreign policy that the President has pursued and that we have been implementing as a foreign ministry.

en.inform.kz